January is National Train Your Dog Month

ByDogTime

Just a few days into 2014, people are hard at work trying to keep their New Year’s resolutions. They’re working out at the gym, or making a tighter budget, maybe creating an online dating profile. But this January, National Train Your Dog Month, make a resolution to learn something new with your four-legged friend.

Some humans are unable to cope with dog behavior issues, sometimes ending with the animal being surrendered to a shelter or rescue.

Why January? Because so many dogs and puppies are adopted or purchased around the holidays, and because a good number of those dogs are subsequently relinquished to animal shelters or abandoned soon after, APDT understands training could be the one thing that makes or breaks a dog’s chance to stay with his family and in their home.

Though most people who get a dog do so with the best of intentions, those who wind up surrendering their new pets to the shelter often do so because they just can’t cope with their untrained dog’s behavioral issues. Maybe the dog is hyperactive, yappy, or destructive; or perhaps he’s fearful, shy, lashing out, or behaving aggressively. Often it’s not because they’re bad dogs — it’s because they haven’t yet been given the appropriate tools they need in order to know how to be good dogs.

Inexperienced owners might try one or more of a bevy of temporary fixes that only make the problems more severe — isolation from the house and family, yelling, shock collars, or worse. By the time these dogs end up in a shelter kennel, they’re confused and ill-equipped for life in a home.

That makes January the perfect month to remind pet parents new and experienced to take the time to train their furry friends. With consistency, well-timed praise and rewards, a level head, lots of practice, and the guidance of an experienced dog-training professional, you and your pooch will be learning and growing all year long.

Interested in finding the perfect dog trainer for you and your canine companion? Take the time to do your research. Ask a friend about the training class they took with their dog, or if they’d be willing to recommend a trainer. Chat with your veterinarian or a trusted local rescue organization to see what trainer they’d vouch for. Word of mouth is a great way to find a trainer you can count on.

When you locate a dog trainer, ask them if you could sit in on one of their classes. While there, take time to observe a couple of things:

Do the dogs seem happy? Their owners? Have a quick chat with some of the owners after class to get their overall impression of working with the trainer.

What kind of skills will be covered over the duration of the class? What tools will be required — leashes, harnesses, treats, toys, clickers?

Does the instructor emphasize socialization in his or her class? Do the canine participants get a chance to interact with one another?

Does the training facility seem like a safe and secure environment for you and your dog?

Does the facility seem clean, sanitary? Does the trainer require proof of vaccinations from his or her students to ensure your dog will join a healthy class?

Does the trainer use positive reinforcement techniques and denounce any sort of physical punishment? Talk with the trainer to get an idea of his or her training philosophy.

Lastly, remember that training your dog is not only beneficial; it’s also a lot of fun. Dogs thrive on mental stimulation — they love the chance to learn and practice something new. But more than anything, they will relish the opportunity to bask in your undivided attention as you work toward a common goal together. Time spent training is time spent bonding, making priceless memories, and building a strong relationship between you and your dog; isn’t that what having a dog is all about?

If you would like to learn more about National Train Your Dog Month, visit the campaign’s website or the Association of Professional Dog Trainers on Facebook today.